Innovation and Accountability in Teacher Education: Setting Directions for New Cultures in Teacher Education. By Claire Wyatt Smith and Lenore Adie (Editors), 2018. 340 pp.

Abstract

Wyatt-Smith and Adie’s book introduction makes a strong case that teacher quality is key to better results. Three major teacher education innovations are described in this book. Many international reviews of teacher education and reform attempts have been published in the last decade. This textbook encourages governments to evaluate schools and beginning teacher education applicants (in Australia, both at intake and in national assessment before completion). Thus, this book focuses on curriculum orientation consistency since teacher opinions on curriculum orientation affect curriculum decision-making, teaching methodologies, and strategies (Cheung & Ng, 2000). Teachers are crucial to encourage and help students through varied learning and teaching methods. In a fun learning environment, teachers can help kids acquire values like acceptance and respect (Mak et al., 2018). Wyatt-Smith and Adie emphasize ‘the complex ecologies of teacher education’ (p. 13) using chapter contributors from Scotland, Norway, South Africa, Hong Kong, Singapore, Canada, the USA, New Zealand, and Australia. Traditions and culture mediate global imperatives in teacher education. The book’s worldwide perspectives are motivated by the need to create a scholarly platform for critical teacher education concerns in the 21st century and stimulate fresh, evidence-based thinking.